Editorial: Preservation Massachusetts steps forward to help preserve the pieces of the region's history following tornadoes

The Republican | Michael S. GordonThe Ames House is seen after a tornado ripped through Springfield on June 1.

Preserving deteriorating historic homes and buildings is a challenge in the best of times. But when the properties have been damaged by a tornado, the prospect of saving them is all the more daunting.

In recognition of the unique problem now facing cities and towns affected by the June 1 tornadoes, a statewide historic preservation organization has stepped forward to raise awareness about what the region might lose in the wake of the devastating storms.

Benjamin Murphy, president of the Springfield Preservation Trust, praised the effort noting that it “gets people to realize there is a danger of losing these historic properties and adds the possibility of having support from the public on reuse and preservation of these sites.”

We agree. Properties such as Springfield’s Old First Church at Court Square - previously listed on the endangered list - give communities a special character that can’t be duplicated with new construction. These architectural gems dot New England and are part of the region’s fabric. Losing them is something communities must resist.